Food packaging machinery specialist Tna will be unveiling, what it claims is the, world’s first integrated wet and dry seasoning system globally this week

The firm said that its new Intell-flav OMS 5 wet and dry on-machine seasoning system will provide its customers with “more control to accurately proportion the amount of seasoning application with the responsive variable mass seasoning system and tighter standard deviations on seasoning performance and flavour dispersion”.

Tna also said that its new kit is fully integrated with both oil spray and flavour injection in one system for total control of adhesion. It also said that it is capable of quick flavour changes.

In addition, Tna said that its improved modular design that is fully enclosed for a “more hygienic and quick-to-clean system”.

The More than Meat Pies team from Harper Adams University has been awarded gold prize at Ecotrophelia UK 2013 for their product, Hearty Meal, a ready meal offal pie.

One of the most important roles for packaging is to make the product it contains ‘stand out from the crowd’. Thanks to new printing techniques, which can be used in conjunction with the latest electronic technologies the packs can be made to, literally, ‘light up’ to show off their contents.

Rox Asia Consultancy and packaging company Karl Knauer has already won 8 Awards in 2013 for the world’s first illuminated packaging to use electroluminescent technology for a well-known brand of spirits. In fact the global recognition of this innovation includes a WorldStar from the World Packaging Organisation, as well as several design and creative Awards from other international organisations.

At the AIPIA Congress Christian Rommel, from the Hong Kong based Rox Asia, will be explaining all about the development of EL technology and how it can add a sparkle to YOUR product.

See the presentation here

McDonald’s recently unveiled new packaging designs on carry-out bags and some formats of beverage cups incorporating QR codes, explaining “Bags and cups will feature QR codes providing access to finding nutrition information.” Could this be the start of something much bigger?

With more than 34,000 locations serving 69 million customers in 119 countries each day, McDonald’s has the potential for unparalleled access to consumer opinions and an enviable opportunity to engage large numbers of people in research on both the positive and more controversial aspects of the Fast Food sector.

The company’s general interest in the A&IP sector is clear as it became one of the first to sign up to attend the AIPIA Congress in September. With other retailers and food service companies also on board there is clear evidence that Active and Intelligent Packaging can help, not only in marketing and research, but to deliver valuable information about the product in relation to lifestyles and consumer wellbeing.

McDonald’s consulted its Global Advisory Council – a group of independent advisors in the areas of nutrition, public health, and fitness. These outside experts emphasized the importance of providing access to nutrition information and support using the new packaging to directly connect customers to information about McDonald’s menu.

At its Cléry-le-Petit site in the Meuse, Fromagerie Bel wanted to add an extra protein constituent to the milk collected locally in order to guarantee consistent quality of the cheese produced. TETRA PAK constructed a new system in which flow management is handled by 180 fieldbus controlled valves. Bürkert supplied 180 control heads to be fitted to the valves. Providing optimal reliability and safety, the new series 8681 control head is particularly suited to aseptic environments as it offers hygienic design, IP65/67 protection rating and good resistance to chemical cleaning products. In addition, Bürkert’s patented magnetic activation system provides easy and safe access to the control head for preventive maintenance.

A leading group in agrifood production

Fromagerie Bel markets its five star brands (La Vache qui Rit, Mini Babybel, Kiri, Leerdammer, Boursin), as well as more than 20 local brands with a strong image, on five continents. Among these local brands, for example, we can mention Apericube in France and Japan, Régal Picon in Africa and the Middle East, Shotska in Ukraine and Maredsous in Belgium.

The Group, which employs 11,300 people, achieves a turnover of 2.4 billion euros and has 25 production sites throughout the world. It recently approached TETRA PAK for an industrial project at its Cléry-le-Petit site in the Meuse, which processes 110 million litres of milk and produces 12,000 tonnes of cheese per annum. Indeed, TETRA PAK designs and installs numerous systems based on tried and tested technologies used to produce various kinds of cheese (Emmental, Raclette, St Paulin, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Gouda, Edam, Mimolette, cottage cheese, cream cheese and other soft, unripened cheeses). Its equipment (particularly cheese vats) is currently used in cheese production processes marketed throughout the world.

The project to enrich the milk’s protein value

Fromagerie Bel‘s project at its Cléry-le-Petit site was intended to add an extra protein constituent to the milk collected locally in order to guarantee consistent quality of the cheese. Indeed, the milk collected in the region is quite low in proteins, which makes it just about usable for cheese production. Moreover, although the milk, which represents 50% of the price of cheese, is not sufficiently rich in proteins, a more significant quantity of lactoserum with no added value still remains, at the expense of the cheese factory.

To solve this problem, new vats were therefore installed. Flow management is handled by fieldbus controlled valves. Bürkert, the manufacturer of measuring and flow control equipment, supplied the series 8681 control heads, offering control and diagnostic safety thanks to the remote visualisation of the position of the valve.

Among the other advantages provided by this new equipment, it is possible to eliminate water hammer in the pipework thanks to the opening and closing speed settings of the valve. Furthermore, IP 65/67 tightness in accordance with the EN60529 standard is guaranteed by the fact that the control head is no longer opened on site after commissioning (magnetic control key) and thanks to its pressurisation. These instruments also offer the possibility of ASI communication. This project has thus enabled the standardisation of the control heads on every valve used on the site. In total, 180 control heads were supplied.

The technical characteristics of the new control Heads

The new series 8681 control head was especially developed by Bürkert for the decentralised automation of santary globe, butterfly and ball process valves. It complements the control heads, digital positioners and process controllers in Bürkert‘s ELEMENT range and is used to equip automation facilities for the dairy, brewery and other food and beverage industries.

This new, universally adaptable control head can therefore be installed on all types of valves available off the shelf, like globe valves (single, double globe and Mixproof), butterfly valves and ball valves. It is particularly suited to aseptic environments thanks to its hygienic design, its protection rating and its resistance to chemical cleaning products. In the context of decentralised automation concepts with fieldbus communication protocols, the control head executes all pneumatic commands, position feedback functions and diagnostics. Depending on the process valve, it can control up to three pneumatic chambers separately.

This new control head is easy to install, use and check. The respective positions of the process valve are checked by the control head via an inductive analogue position sensor. After installing the control head on the valve actuator, the positions of the valve are determined automatically by a fast, reliable „teach-in“ function, which eliminates any need for configuration and manual adjustments. For some Mixproof valves, a fourth valve position can be checked by an inductive proximity switch mounted on the outside.

The opening/closing time of each pneumatic chamber is checked and adjusted individually for two circulation directions thanks to a flow limiter function integrated in the pilot solenoid valve. Moreover, a check valve prevents opening/closing of the valve in the event of back pressure. Independently of the electric power supply, each pilot solenoid valve can be switched manually with a manual mechanical control. The encoded and patented manual magnetic control is used during valve maintenance to switch the actuator without having to open the control head, which prevents any pollution inside the head (humidity, dust, spatter, etc.).

In addition to the electrical duplication of the valve positions in the controller, a large format visual luminous colour display unit signals valve positions, operating errors, anomalies in communication with the bus, mechanical blockages in the valve, etc.. Internal diagnostic data, like the number of cycles for servicing the valve seals or operating errors, are therefore signalled visually and archived in the memory; they can be read in detail via a service interface (SmartPhone or PC).

The decentralised automation of process valves

The decentralised automation of process valves offers a number of advantages. Compared with a solenoid valve block in a centralised control cabinet, control heads mounted directly on to the actuator simplify planning, installation, start-up and maintenance by significantly reducing the connections required. The switching time and the consumption of pilot air are minimised thanks to extremely short pipes between the pilot solenoid valve in the control head and the pneumatic actuator. The concept of decentralised automation therefore makes it possible to clearly structure and easily monitor the installations, which enhances operational reliability.

The series 8681 control head enables instant visual diagnostics of valve status by colour coding (Open/Closed/Error) that can be seen from quite a distance (100 metres). This innovative equipment permits universal use on all types of valve. Designed using hard-wearing synthetic materials, it enables preventive maintenance thanks to the archiving of usable data on PC. The useful life of the system is increased by an inductive non-contact sensor, as well as by the IP 67 protection rating, pressurisation and self-ventilation of the head.

Communication is easy thanks to Bluetooth via SmartPhone and/or PC (for valves difficult to access). The unit as a whole eradicates any risk of external contamination thanks to a hygienic and aesthetically pleasing design. Maintenance is safe and facilitated by external magnetic activation (system patented by Bürkert). In addition, start-up times are reduced by the simple self-setting limit switches (AUTOTUNE function). Switching is secure thanks to the pneumatic solenoid valves.

Company contacts

Bürkert Fluid Control Systems
Christian-Bürkert-Straße 13 -17
74653 Ingelfingen
Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 7940/10 – 0
Fax +49 (0) 7940/10 – 91 204
info@burkert.com
www.burkert.com

The challenge was to engage and enlighten the consumer that folding cartons such as cereal boxes belong in the recycling bin along with newspapers and other recyclables. RecycleStrip does precisely that. The strip stands out on the shelves in supermarkets and is always in view while emptying the product. RecycleStrip promotes post-consumer recycling by bringing attention to the fact that your empty boxes need to be recycled; something that many people are not aware of.

RecycleStrip assists in the box flattening process. By tearing the RecycleStrip around the box, it flattens easily. This strip will dramatically increase the extremely low 22 percent recycling rate for folding cartons.

There are many programs and organizations that talk about wanting to see additional steps taken to promote the responsibility of post-consumer recycling. Consumer product companies that have the RecycleStrip on their packaging will be demonstrating their commitment to the sustainability movement. Consumer interviews indicate that more than 95 percent said that the RecycleStrip would “absolutely encourage them to recycle more often.”

Fred Prins, a veteran of the recycling industry, invented RecycleStrip, which was granted patent #G1692.

It is a zero or low-cost addition to your packaging-and the strip can be placed anywhere on the package.

RecycleStrip
201-218-5544
FredLPrins@recyclestrip.com

Lundberg Family Farms, a leading U.S. producer of organic rice and rice products, is a Gold award winner in the flexible packaging category of the 2013 PAC Leadership Awards.

Presented by The Packaging Association (PAC), the trade group representing the Canadian packaging industry since 1950, the awards seek to recognize the role of strategic thinking, innovation, technical excellence and sustainability in all formats of packaging, branding and graphic design. The PAC Leadership Awards, launched in 2009, feature five Best of Show Awards, including the Flexible award category in which Lundberg took top honors.

The flexible pouch introduced by Lundberg in late 2012 was the first of its kind to be used for food products and features VELCRO Industries’ PRESS-LOK closure system. The reclosable feature is a unique solution in the industry that offers consumers the ultimate in convenience. The package is easily opened without the use of tools and the proprietary hook-to-hook technology makes it easy to reclose to ensure clean and safe storage.

Lundberg’s award-winning package stands upright on the shelf, with a true flat bottom, and offers consumers an audible click when opening and re-closing. Other key features of the package include:
• Premium shelf appearance
• Excellent on-shelf stability with flat bottom
• Five panels for ultimate product branding
• Registered matte over lacquer to provide unique matte / gloss design opportunities.

“It’s an honor to be awarded by one of the industry’s most prestigious presenters. It’s further confirmation of our commitment to innovation and to delivering the highest quality product to our customers and consumers,” says Grant Lundberg, CEO and a third generation Lundberg family member to operate the family business. “The new stand-up package design is better for our retailers, who find it’s easier to shelve and display, and better for our consumers, who appreciate how easy the pouch is to open and close, even without precisely lining up the closure strips.”

More information about the 2013 PAC Leadership Awards and Competition Winners can be found on their website. The reclosable pouch is manufactured by Peel Plastic Products Ltd. and designed by Anton Kimball Design.

Source: Lundberg Family Farms 

TINE, a leading dairy producer, distributor and exporter based in Norway, is the first brand in Europe to use the bio-based LightCap 30 closure. Its Piano vanilla sauce, TINE iced coffee, iced tea and chocolate milk will be packaged in Tetra Brik Aseptic Edge cartons topped with the LightCap 30, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cap made from sugar cane. Along with the cartons, the cap is also from Tetra Pak.

“As one of Norway’s largest users of packaging, it is important that we use our resources optimally and prioritize sustainability. This is a business imperative for us. Tetra Pak’s TBA Edge, which is made from about 75% renewable resources, now comes with bio-based cap, offering us the opportunity to further enhance the environmental profile of our products”, says Björn Malm, Sustainability Manager, at TINE.

The renewable polyethylene used in LightCap 30 starts out as sugar cane. The cane is crushed and the juice fermented and distilled to produce ethanol. Through a process of dehydration, ethanol is converted into ethylene, which is then polymerized to produce the polyethylene used to manufacture the cap.

“The development of the bio-based LightCap 30 is another important step towards our goal of producing a 100% renewable packaging solution. This launch demonstrates our continued commitment to environmental innovation and providing customers, retailers and consumers with the highest level of environmental performance for their packaging,” says Erik Steijger, Product Manager Environmental Innovation, Tetra Pak.
Read more about TINE, visit www.jarlsberg.com/about-tine

Source: Tetra Pak Inc.
847-955-600.

FFEI is to move into a new facility for its product development and manufacturing operations in Hemel Hempstead, UK.

The fully-owned location, nicknamed The Cube, includes a bespoke, modern fit out, and will see it move from its currently leased location.

FFEI will make an investment of more than £2 million in the project, and the transition to its new location will begin in early July once the building fit out is complete. The existing facility will be run in parallel for a short period to ensure a smooth transition and minimal impact on customers.

FFEI managing director Andy Cook said: ‘We are delighted to announce this investment, which underlines our commitment to the business. We have a lot of new products being developed both in our digital printing and life science businesses that need both flexible and modern facilities.

‘[This] will give the organization the environment it needs to ensure our on-going success.’

Cook added: ‘Building on the success of our inkjet label press, Caslon, we plan to introduce several new inkjet products later in the year, which required a major investment in our infrastructure. With our strong financial position we felt it was the right time to acquire a new building and position the company for growth.

‘With the success of our RealPro Workflow and packaging software products announced earlier this year, the next few months will be focused on modernising our infrastructure and launching these new digital printing devices. Alongside our market leading CtP product range, we expect a busy and exciting time for the organization.’

Avantium, a renewable chemicals company, and ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH, one of the world’s leading plastic converters, have announced their Joint Development Agreement for the development of PEF bottles. After The Coca-Cola Co. and Danone, ALPLA is the third company to collaborate with Avantium on PEF, a bioplastic based on Avantium’s proprietary YXY technology. The goal of these collaborations is to bring 100 percent biobased PEF bottles to the market by 2016.

“Avantium is very excited to have ALPLA enter the Joint Development Platform for PEF bottles,” says Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium. “With ALPLA’s extensive and proven know-how in PET conversion, bottle design and bottle manufacturing, ALPLA will be a major contributor to accelerate the commercial rollout and industrialization of PEF. Jointly we can make PEF available for packaging in innovative markets and traditional applications. Together we have taken up the challenge to develop the supply chain for PEF as sustainable biobased packaging material to the beer and alcoholic beverage markets. As one of the world’s most innovative converters, ALPLA will be a key enabler to develop PEF bottles meeting the technical requirements for the market.”

Günther Lehner, ALPLA CEO comments: “By signing this agreement, ALPLA once again demonstrates its leadership in innovation in this industry. In the 1980′s ALPLA was the first to introduce the two-step PET bottle which started the transition from PVC to PET. Today, we are able to take innovation a step further and introduce our customers in the food, home care and personal care area to the next generation of biobased polyester: PEF. Sustainability is a key driver for growth for ALPLA and its customers. We are therefore pleased to collaborate with Avantium to bring the first 100 percent biobased and recyclable PEF bottles to the market.”

YXY technology

Brand owners are leading the transition from fossil resources based packaging materials like PET (polyethylene terephthalate), to biobased materials. Biobased materials should be compliant with existing recycling solutions. The YXY technology platform is a cost competitive ground-breaking catalytic technology to convert plant based materials into chemical building blocks for bioplastics, like PEF (polyethylene furanoate). PEF is a novel generation of 100 percent biobased and recyclable polyester which has the potential to replace conventional fossil resources based durable materials like PET. PEF has properties superior to PET such as a significantly higher barrier to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water, extending product shelf life and reducing production costs. An independent life-cycle-analysis study by the Copernicus Institute at the University of Utrecht has demonstrated the carbon footprint of PEF is about 50 to 70 percent lower than today’s PET.

PEF bottles

ALPLA will develop PEF bottles for personal care/ home care applications (such as cosmetics and detergents) and for food applications (such as sauces, dressings, baby foods and edible oils). ALPLA and Avantium will furthermore work on the development of bottles for beer and other alcoholic beverages. Today Avantium is supplying its development partners with PEF made from material produced at its Geleen pilot plant. Avantium is currently planning a 50,000 ton commercial plant, which is projected to be operational in 2016 to enable the full commercial launch of the first PEF bottles to consumers.

Source: Avantium

Miller Weldmaster has launched the PS150 and PS400 packaging systems, designed to increase the speed and accuracy of bag sealing in food processing operations.

The machines, available from Ohio-based Miller Weldmaster, are intended to close bags with fold, step-seal, double-fold or slit-fold-fold seams. According to the manufacturer, both of the machines include features that minimize the production time needed for bag closing.

Also, the PS150 and PS400 systems are engineered to optimize speed, accuracy, and efficiency in bag sealing operations. The packaging systems reportedly are easily assimilated into either automatic filling lines or manual feed systems.

Packaging features

The PS150 and PS400 both feature a controlled line speed matching system, allowing for synchronized operation with the converting line. Folding systems are built onto each machine, and a quick change folding system is available for performing a wide range of fold sizes and types.

The PS150 and PS400 weld polywoven, thermoplastic, and paper bags without glue, eliminating any need (and the associated cost and mess) for use of consumables. Operators can use the digital controls for timely production initiation, and a recipe management system facilitates access to multiple batch options.

Bagging dry products

The PS150 and PS400 are geared toward producers of dry, free-flowing products. Each system can be customized to best fit the needs of a particular operation.

The PS150 system is a top-closing model designed for simple integration into existing packaging lines. The PS400 machine can be integrated with automatic filling line and/or manual feed systems.

Tamar Labels has installed a new flexo press as it bids to boost businesss and target new markets

The Devon based label printer has bought a Mark Andy LP3000 430mm eight-colour UV Flexo press. The machine will sit alongside Tamar’s existing fleet of Edale narrow web flexo and Nilpeter eight-colour UV flexo presses and HP Indigo digital label presses.

Tamar operations director Ricky Hann (pictured) said: “With the inline foil and screen capability on the LP3000 we saw it as a giant leap forward to be able to enhance the range of premium quality labels that we can provide, and we were right. Just having this press has already opened the doors to new markets for the production of luxury and other primary product labels in sectors such as packaging, cosmetics, and healthcare.”

Managing director Robert Lee added: “Our growth strategy has thus far been heavily based around company acquisitions. Last year we acquired the assists of the Irish label convertor LabelIt which provided a bounty of European based contracts into hitherto new market sectors.

“Now we’re looking to consolidate our production capabilities with an aggressive companywide reinvestment strategy that will include investments in new speciality coating lines, along with improvements to workflow solutions that will serve to deliver greater flexibility on how we operate as a business.”

Milling company C. Marston & Sons has bought a new metal detector from Lock Inspection Systems

Suffolk-based C. Marston & Sons supplies bread, biscuit and starch flours for food manufacturers in the UK and Ireland. The company has installed an Insight VF metal detection system from Lock.

The Insight VF is designed to detect the presence of metal contamination in product which is flowing freely under gravity. According to Lock, the detector can identify contaminants as small as 0.6mm ferrous, 0.7mm non-ferrous and 0.8mm stainless steel.  It incorporates a sealed flap reject mechanism to remove ferrous, non-ferrous and high-grade stainless steel contaminants from the product flow.

C. Marston & Sons managing director Duncan Marston said: “We are proud of the products which we supply to our customers and the Lock metal detector gives us both quality assurance and brand protection.  The INSIGHT VF was easy to integrate into our line due to its compact design and has quickly become a key part of our milling process.”

Recycling specialist RMG Plascomp has ordered a Systec 160 hydraulic injection moulding machine from Sumitomo (SHI) Dema.

Midlands-based RMG organises and reprocesses discarded plastics into components and produces finished items. The new Systec 160 is set to aid RMG to react to styling changes and market demands. It will take delivery of the new kit next month.

RMG managing director Richard Grainger said: “Our clients like the idea of their plastic components being regenerated from another source, it ensures transparency re; product traceability and reduces their carbon footprint.”

Sumitomo Demag Central area sales manager Kevin Heap added: “It’s incredibly flexible; accommodating any number of injection moulding variations. The short cycle times and high degrees of precision ensures it delivers maximum efficiency with a superb price/performance ratio and our servo-pump option reduces energy consumption by up to 45%.”

Paperboard manufacturer Stora Enso has invested in new packaging software from Esko.

“ArtiosCAD Enterprise allows all authorized parties involved in the design of a product to access up-to-the minute information and share their input in real time for more efficient approvals and faster time to market,” said Andis Skujenieks, Baltics sales and marketing manager for Stora Enso Packaging. “As a result, we can handle a greater number of jobs and complete them more cost efficiently.”

ArtiosCAD Enterprise, supplied by Esko dealer BZG Solutions, has been installed at Stora Enso’s sheet converting plants in Riga, Latvia; Tallin, Estonia; and Kaunas in Lithuania.

Esko is a specialist in software for packaging.

Peter Ogden, Esko’s business development manager – structural design and key account manager, explained: “The overriding benefit of ArtiosCAD Enterprise is its ability to enable faster sharing of information that reduces errors, hastens the approval process and significantly reduces lead times.

“Before Stora Enso Packaging made the investment in ArtiosCAD Enterprise, each job would go through a linear approval process with every stakeholder. This potentially added weeks to the time from concept to completion. Now everyone involved can access the project immediately. They can even invite other interested and authorized parties such as graphic suppliers or diemakers to benefit from their expertise. Each and every action in the system, including the viewing of files or other assets, is recorded for the ultimate in reportability.”

Recently launched packaging design graphics studio, Studio404 has said that it is the first business in the UK to invest in a new technology that revolutionises digital colour management for the packaging industry.

Bristol-based Studio404 said that the GMG OpenColor software allows for colour-accurate reproductions of print processes that use spot colours and multi-colour separations with more than the traditional four process colours.

Until now, the overprinting behaviour and colour interplay between CMYK and spot colours could only be reproduced by combining a CMYK profile with spot colour libraries, according to the firm.

In a statement, Studio404 added: “The major drawback of this method was the inaccurate simulation of spot colour overprints, meaning that expensive and time consuming press fingerprinting was always required to depict all possible combinations of spots and process colours as accurately as possible. This effectively makes this process untenable for most clients or brands.”

“Traditional colour management techniques have very successfully controlled the four-colour process but the print world increasingly wants to be able to control more than four colours to build flexibility into the supply chain,” said Studio404 studio manager Tony Lawrence.

He added: “GMG OpenColor is a brand new technology which enables us to measure the colours spectrally, rather than taking traditional colour measurements.

“This is a huge step forward, as it takes into consideration the level of transparency or opacity associated with any given ink.

“We assessed a couple of other solutions for multicolour profiling on the market, and came to the conclusion that they are simply not effective to the level that the market demands, we have been working closely with GMG since the early summer and are proud to be early adopters of this technology.

“We’d be delighted to demonstrate the technology to packaging designers, printers and brand owners who’d like to see for themselves how it revolutionises this crucial component of the packaging manufacturing process.”

Sealpac has outlined flexibility, material savings and traceability as the main benefits of its integrated machinery, during a recent trade show in Germany.

The firm said packaging is changing every day so it designs machines that are not dedicated but can be modified by tooling to decide specific functions.

It cited the thermoforming machine at the trade show IFFA 2013 that was doing a three-web but can be used for shrink packaging, MAP, flexible film, rigid and others with minimal changeover times.

Double lane system

Martijn Scheffers, sales manager at Sealpac, explained to FoodProductionDaily.com about the A8 traysealing unit in double lane execution.

“We are sealing on a double lane system, long side leading, meaning the longest side of the tray is entering the machine first. We can do so due to our Sealpac patented snap gripper system, this allows more trays in the tool and combined with our InsideCut sealing where the film is smaller than the tray we can have quite substantial film savings.”

He added that it is a high speed line, about 100-120 packs a minute and multiple tray sizes are possible.

PacInspect unit

After the sealing in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) comes the PacInspect system, which is a multi-sensor inspection unit able to apply optical or mechanical checks or both.

“The Sealpac PacInspect system is a combination of mechanical and vision control of the pack, such as the label, printed film, or sealing edge in a 1200mm frame. There we achieve full traceability as we save the data of every pack up to one month of production. Also you can have full integration with your ERP, with your factory software.”

Scheffers also explained how the tip-up conveyor works as part of the integrated machine.

“Moving into the in-feed system, we have there our tip-up conveyor. This is basically allowing you to go through the line instead of having to walk all the way around the whole line which is handy for logistics inside the factory.”

The denester, loading system, lane divider, traysealer and packaging inspection unit are manufactured in-house which the firm said supports efficient production and smooth operation of the line.

He added that traceability was an ever growing issue, especially from the supermarket chains.

“People expect, actually, that you can trace back fully the packs and also for the producers on the other hand, it’s crucial that they can prove everything left their facility in the correct way.”

The firm also presented a joint concept called EasyLid, which is a rigid tray produced by Naber Plastic in the Netherlands.

It has a regular sealing edge and an additional ring sealed at different temperatures in one single process resulting in a hermetic seal and eliminating the need for a snap-on rigid lid.

Greiner Packaging International has landed a WorldStar Packaging Award in the food category for a container developed for an instant noodle company.

The German packaging firm worked in partnership with Nissin Group, a Japanese food company specializing in instant noodle products, in developing a pot for its Nissin Soba noodles. The container uses in-mold labelling to help impart the product with a traditional look and a high degree of functionality.

Creative packaging

This year, the WorldStar Packaging Awards (produced by the Australia-based World Packaging Organisation) recognized products in seven categories (including food, beverages, household and other areas). According to Robert Obermayr, product group director with Greiner Packaging, the award demonstrates the firm’s creative capabilities.

“This award is an additional confirmation of our company’s huge innovative force,” he said.

Functional container

The Nissin Soba product is geared toward shoppers in the European market. Consumers prepare the dish directly in the pot: open the pot, remove the sauce, fill the container with hot water, drain, then stir in the sauce; the product can be consumed right from the container.

The packaging updates the traditional look of Nissin’s noodles, among the first instant noodle dishes on the market, with a few modern features and touches. The package is decorated with in-mold labelling; the label background color is an elegant black, and the lid’s look and pouring function have been upgraded.

Other honors

In addition to the WorldStar honors, the Nissin Soba noodle pot was lauded by the HUNGAROPACK Hungarian Packaging Competition Awards. Receiving the Hungarian award qualified the product to be entered into the WorldStar competition, as the WPO requires all entrants into its award program have previously won a national competition.

Founded in 1968, the World Packaging Organisation combines a number of companies, associations, organizations and research institutions from around the globe. Members of the WPO currently hail from more than 50 different countries.

Flexible, poultry and ready-to-eat packaging will fuel US meat, poultry and seafood packaging sales to 2017, according to a freshly published report from market research firm The Freedonia Group.

The company forecasts total packaging growth will rise by 3.2% a year, from $8.2bn in 2012 to $9.7bn in 2017.

Flexible packaging demand growth will outpace that of rigid packaging, with pouches and high barrier films leading the way, the study, Meat, Poultry & Seafood Packaging, claims.

The growth will also be driven by flexible packaging making inroads into the rigid packaging market due to its greener credentials in terms of reduced material use and significantly lower shipping costs.

In turn, rigid packaging sales will be limited by the maturity of the market and competitive drawbacks in corrugated boxes, metal cans, folding cartons and paperboard sleeves, the report states.

Poultry packaging

Poultry packaging applications will achieve the fastest growth through 2017, according to the study, which it attributes to the “lower cost and a more favourable nutritional profile” of poultry.

“Meat will continue to be the largest application though growth will slightly trail the overall average. While seafood applications will accelerate from their 2007-2012 performance, advances will lag the overall average due to the growing share of seafood demand that is met by imports.”

Ready-to-eat

The fastest growth from 2012-2017 will be recorded by the ready-to-eat market as time-pressed consumers seek an expanded variety of prepared food for takeout, Freedonia states.

“Gains in the fresh and frozen market will be fuelled by the growing significance of case-ready packaging and MAP (modified atmosphere packaging) to extend the shelf life of fresh meat, poultry and seafood.

“In the processed market, advances will reflect an increased emphasis on higher margin items that are designed to offer convenience.”

Increased production

Gains will also be driven by increased meat, poultry and seafood production along with accelerated foodservice revenue growth, the study maintains.

Prospects for packaging will further benefit from the shift to case-ready packaging among grocery retailers, plus growth in smaller and further-processed convenience foods.

“Heightened demand for single portion and other smaller sized products will reflect the significant level of one and two person households in the US as well as efforts among processors and retailers to hold down selling prices, especially in beef.”

On May 28, 2013, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued a ruling (Ruling 2013-2) that allows alcohol beverage industry members to provide consumers with nutritional information about their products and provides guidelines to ensure that the information is presented in a consistent and non-misleading manner.

The Federal Alcohol Administration Act provides for regulation of the labeling and advertising of distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages to prevent consumer deception, to provide consumers with adequate information as to the identity and quality of the product and to prohibit false or misleading statements.

The ruling allows “Serving Facts” statements that include the serving size, the number of servings per container, the number of calories, and the number of grams of carbohydrates, protein and fat per serving. Additionally, Serving Facts statements may include information about the alcohol content of the product as a percentage of alcohol by volume and may also include a statement of the fluid ounces of pure ethyl alcohol per serving.

Industry members will not need to apply for new label approval to add a Serving Facts statement if it conforms to the examples contained in the ruling.

TTB is providing this interim guidance on the use of optional Serving Facts statements on labels and in advertisements pending the completion of rulemaking on this matter.
The Ruling can be found at www.ttb.gov/rulings/2013-2.pdf.

Source: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

Statement from Diageo on the ruling

Diageo applauds the Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) for approving Serving Fact information on beer, wine and distilled spirits containers. The company see this as a victory for public health and American consumers who, after a decade-long wait, finally get basic Serving Fact information.

Guy Smith, evp, Diageo North America, says, “Almost 10 years ago—in December 2003—Diageo led the industry when it stood with a coalition of consumer and public health advocates to publicly call on US regulators to allow Serving Fact information to be displayed on beverage alcohol products. Today, we are proud to celebrate a victory on behalf of the American public. The Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) granted the industry permission late yesterday to voluntarily label our beer, wine and spirits products with the serving size, number of servings per container, alcohol per serving, number of calories, and number of grams of carbohydrates, protein and fat per serving.

“While there is still work to be done, this action by TTB, coupled with a recent FTC ruling on labeling, is a stunning leap forward for consumers who have a clear right to know what is in their drink. It is important to note that prior to this ruling by the TTB, it was illegal for an alcohol manufacturer to list these basic serving facts about alcohol products on the packaging. Simply put, this common-sense ruling will allow us to bring our products in line with all other consumable products that include Serving Fact information on all of their labels. This information is important in helping consumers make informed and responsible decisions.

“We want to acknowledge the more than 70 consumer and public health groups that stood with us in support of labeling in 2003, and specifically mention the National Consumers League and the Center for Science in the Public Interest who supported this important initiative from the very first days. We are proud that today is the day when we can finally say: Consumers wanted it, common sense demanded it, and Diageo fought for it.”

Source: Diageo

Rules on the labelling and content of baby milk and foods for special medical purposes should be better defined in order to protect consumers and distinguish more clearly between foods for normal consumption and foods for specific groups, says a deal struck by European Parliament and European Council negotiators. The agreement, which has been unanimosly approved by the public health committee, also covers some low-calorie diet foods.

The new legislation, steered through Parliament by Frederique Ries (ALDE, BE), will replace various pieces of legislation currently in force in order to simplify and clarify the rules on the labelling and composition of products that make up some 1 to 2 % of the total food market. These are infant formula and follow-on formula (for babies aged six to eight months), processed cereal-based food, food for special medical purposes and total diet replacement for weight control.

“With this new regulation on special foods, the European Parliament wants to send a simple message: infants and people who are seriously ill are not ordinary consumers and the rules on safety and quality must be adapted accordingly,” says Frederique Ries.

Baby Milks

The agreed text stipulates that, in future, the labelling of milk-based preparations for babies up to the age of 12 months (including follow-on formula) will not include any pictures of infants or other pictures intended to “idealise” the use of such preparations, with the aim of ensuring that breast-feeding is not discouraged.

Parliament also invites the Commission to clarify the complex legal situation of milks intended for children aged 12 to 36 months (so-called “growing-up milks” or “toddlers’ milks”) and to propose specific legislation if necessary.

Pesticide Residues

Parliament has asked the Commission to ensure that pesticide residues in these products are reduced to a minimum. The Commission should also table a report on the possible need for legislation on foods intended for people who play sports, it says.

Glucose and Lactose Intolerance

Special rules on the labelling of gluten and lactose should be drawn up in separate legislation on consumer information about foodstuffs, the agreement says. (Lactose is not covered by harmonised rules at EU level.)

Next Steps

The committee recommends approving the agreement negotiated with EU ministers. It will be put to the vote in the full House in Strasbourg in June.

Aseptic processing and packaging is a ‘strong and growing series of technologies’, despite being much more complex than canning or traditional terminal sterilization, according to a leading expert.

Dr. Aaron Brody PhD, from Packaging/Brody Inc. will draw this conclusion today in his exclusive webcast for BeverageDaily.com and FoodProductionDaily.com, which you can register to listen to for free here , and put questions to Aaron live in its aftermath.

We’re hosting the world’s first wholly online event devoted to aseptic technology in the food and beverage sector, which begins at 9am New York time, 3pm Paris time today.

Alongside, Dr Brody’s webinar, there is a wealth of must-see content, with other presentations from GEA and Sidel, and an Aseptic Technology roundtable discussion featuring Zenith International, Coca-Cola Enterprises and renowned expert Raymond Bourque, president of RAY-PAK.

Suitable for high and low acid products

In his presentation tomorrow, entitled Technological Advances in Aseptic Process & Packaging, Brody explains that aseptic technology can suit either high or low acid food products.

“It must be understood that it can be used for high and low acid products. It’s not just confined to the latter,” he notes.

Until now, aseptic technology had mostly been used for liquids, Brody will say, but can also be applied to higher viscosity liquids, and is now being applied to low acid particulates in soup products.

“It’s difficult, but feasible, and has been commercial,” he will add.

Manufacturers must ensure that aseptic packaging is sterile with a high acid or low acid product, Brody will say, adding that this is more important for low acid products, because of the potential for pathogenicity.

Improving biochemical stability

“We have to be able to sterilize the particulates using steam injection, steam infusion or scraped surface heat exchangers,” he will add.

“And there must be a hermetic closure. To improve the biochemical stability, which is now the limiting factor, it’s better to reduce oxygen in the product or in its headspace if the package has a headspace.”

Brody says that aseptic technology can also be used to achieve extended shelf life (ESL) in chilled products, and will tip this as “perhaps the most common growth areas in the food product area today”.

“Aseptic technology began at least in the 1930s…and it has grown greatly, especially with the introduction of the flexible pouch by Tetra Pak. The flexible pouch using paperboard lamination by Tetra Pak has now strongly moved in the direction of plastic bottles, plastic trays and cups,” Brody will add.

Rigid plastic food packaging manufacturer Paccor is launching a new film concept for dairy form-fill-seal (FFS) applications.

The firm claims that the new film is sustainable and was developed at the Group’s FFS Centre of Excellence in Mont-de-Marsan in France. Its name Neocell is a new trademark from Paccor.

Neocell is designed to offer advantages in terms of efficiency and sustainability, Paccor said.

Vincent Duguay, development leader, said: “We are tremendously excited about Neocell’s potential. It is an innovative, ecological and resource-saving concept for various FFS applications. Its unique selling point is its low-density middle layer, which makes the polystyrene film lighter and more environmentally friendly and improves the carbon footprint.”

Paccor said that Neocell’s density decrease leads to weight reduction, material savings and less CO2 emission. There are a number of film thicknesses available, ranging from 0.7 mm to 1.4 mm, and the film can be either white or bi-colour.

Foodservice packaging distributor Sovereign Partners has acquired leading lid supplier Cap-It-All as it looks to grow its distribution channels and sustainability credentials.

London-based Sovereign supplies many high-street foodservice outlets with a wide range of packaging products such as paper and plastic cups, boxes, trays and more.

Cap-It-All, meanwhile, is based in Warrington and specialises in supplying lids for foodservice packs.

Following the deal,Cap-It-All will be rebranded under the Sovereign Partners name while Goodlife Eco-Friendly, a subsidiary of Cap-It-All, will become part of the Sovereign set-up.

Sovereign managing director Barbara Feldman said the acquisition was a “perfect fit” and would allow it to expand both its range and customer reach.

“We will be able to combine Cap-It-All’s strengths in the specialist lid and environmentally friendly areas of packaging with our general ranges and far-reaching distribution channels to bring their great products to the widest audience.”

Geoff Page, Cap-It-All’s managing director who set up the company in 1995, is to stay on at the business in the coming months to oversee its integration.

He said: “After over forty years in the packaging industry and nearly twenty years since starting Cap-It-All now is the right time for me to move on.

“I can’t think of a better fit for the business than Sovereign and I have every confidence they will continue to provide our customers with excellent service and product innovation.”

Feldman added: “We intend to continue the fine work Geoff has done over recent years in developing, innovating and delivering modern, environmentally friendly packaging under the Goodlife® brand.

“Cap-It-All is, of course, also synonymous with providing high quality lids for a wide range of products that serves to enhance the product and the customers’ brand.”

Scotch recycled corrugate tape 3072 is uniquely formulated for sealing boxes including more demanding packaging applications. It has a consistent pressure sensitive, high performance, hot melt synthetic rubber adhesive system and meets FDA requirements for indirect food contact. It has a strong backing that provides a secure and durable closure and provides high quality, consistent performance with easy unwind.

Designed specifically for use with recycled corrugated boxes (which are more difficult to seal because of shorter, flatter fibers), 3M’s family of Scotch Recycled Corrugated Tapes are stickier than conventional box sealing tapes. As a result, the versatile, super-sticky tape will stick to most packaging material in use today.

www.3M.com/IndustrialScotchBrand

Dansensor, a worldwide supplier of high-quality gas instrumentation and quality control equipment for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology, will give special recognition this year to food producers, packaging machinery manufacturers, universities or anyone else who develops innovative ideas in applying MAP technology.

In December the company will select Fresh Thinking Awards recipients for the best new ideas in two categories:

• The Fresh Thinking Innovation Award will go to a recipient who uses MAP technology in a new and imaginative way, one that improves package durability, increases consumer safety, or delivers fresher produce – or to a recipient who introduces a completely new type of MAP innovation.
• The Fresh Thinking Green Award will go to a recipient who uses MAP technology in in the most innovative and efficient way to minimise waste in materials, packaging and gas consumption – especially in support of the EU’s Stop Food Waste initiative.

“We’ve based the Dansensor brand on the concept of fresh thinking, which is our ability to help food producers use MAP technology in innovative ways to ensure product quality, cut raw material costs and reduce packaging and food waste,” says Karsten Kejlhof, sales and marketing director for Dansensor. “We know from experience that our customers are a tremendous source of new ideas in these areas, and the Fresh Thinking Awards are our way of giving them the recognition they deserve.”

Those with an innovative and/or green idea within MAP technology are urged to email the company at award@dansensor.com

Printed Electronics, shelf life and smartphone applications are among the latest active and intelligent packaging developments trends with future potential, according to the Active and Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA).

Printed Electronics (PE) could go a long way to making Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and other electronic packaging formats affordable, AIPIA director Eef de Ferrante told FoodProductionDaily.com.

“Thin Film Electronics for example has received its first order from a major global consumer goods company for the use of Thinfilm Memory for brand protection of packaged goods.

“The system utilizes special electronic labels to fight counterfeiting by using an electronic signature that is virtually impossible to replicate. The robust labels can be applied to any product using conventional application methods.”

Technical issues

Some technical issues remained to be solved, like the speed of the printing process, suitable substrates and environmental aspects, he said. “But it’s interesting to see that packaging material suppliers are already preparing for the next step: making the films ready for printed electronics.”

Significant improvements in RFID technology, robustness of tags and readability had added impetus to the increase in acceptance. As a result inventory accuracy in some stores had improved to rates above 95% and out-of-stock incidents- a major factor- were being reduced by 50%. “Research has shown increases in sales for stores with EPC tagging from 4% to 21% and averaging about 6%.”

However, as yet RFID was still too costly to be used widely at item-level, although many retailers were doing successful experiments, he added.

Shelf life

Most activity was certainly in extending shelf life, condition monitoring and reducing waste throughout the food supply chain, Ferrante claimed. “The number of new products on the market, or expected to appear shortly, would signify this is a key area for commercial success.

“For example Symphony Environmental Technologies has developed a range of anti-bacterial and antifungal formulations called ‘d2p’ which can be put into plastic products during manufacturing to help prevent the spread of infection.”

Smartphones

Mobile commerce would play a crucial role in the acceptance of active and intelligent packaging, Ferrante claimed. “With more and more Smartphones on the market the ability to ‘tap and pay’ or engage the consumer more actively with the product … is starting to gather pace. Companies such as Smartrac are seriously preparing to enter this market very soon.

The great dilemma in this area had been linking mobile phone promotions to purchase, but he believed breakthroughs lay just around the corner.

Marketing potential

Beverage producers were making liberal use of the marketing potential of packaging innovations, he said.

He cited as one illustration Heineken’s introduction of its Ignite bottle, containing eight LED lights that activate when, for example, the consumer is dancing.

Rexam had officially launched a range of both Thermochromic and Photochromic inks for cans and can ends which changed colour according to the temperature, he added. Meanwhile, Checkpoint Systems had created an innovative tag solution, which allow high value wines to be openly displayed on retail shelves without affecting the bottle’s appearance and sound an alarm if removed from stores.

Logistics solutions

Finally, there had been many developments in the field of logistics solutions, said Ferrante.

For instance, CSL Convergence Systems now offered the CS8300 Battery-Assisted Passive (BAP) tag designed for temperature sensing and history of temperature violations.

With the assistance of an internal battery, the data capture could be significantly improved under difficult cold chain conditions, such as wet environments.

Coors Light is on a mission to refresh the most people this summer and is pulling out all the stops to do it. It all starts with the latest packaging innovation from Coors Light: the World’s Most Refreshing Can, with a smoother pour thanks to a new double-vented wide mouth. The fully loaded new can also features past innovations such as the Frost Brew liner, cold-activated mountains and two-stage cold indicators.

The “Most Refreshing Summer” adds a unique delivery method, starting this week: Coors Light Refresherators, custom vending machines specially designed to ensure the World’s Most Refreshing Can is only the push-of-a-button away, will be available as part of a national sweepstakes and through local text-to-win promotions. Visit www.CoorsLight.com/refresh or participating retailers for official rules and details on how to enter.

Coors Light will kick off the first day of summer, June 21, by giving away hundreds of gift cards that legal-drinking-age consumers can use to buy Coors Light in a still-to-be-determined city. Check the Coors Light Facebook and Twitter pages for details about the giveaway.

“This summer, our goal is to refresh the most people and we’re going to do that in a variety of ways,” says Sarah Ross, senior director of marketing for the Coors Family of Brands. “But if we really want to show we’re serious about this, what better way than to hand-deliver the new cans? That’s where our Coors Light Explorers come in. People love them in the Coors Light ads, and now they are going to extreme lengths to deliver the World’s Most Refreshing Can to beer drinkers throughout the country.”

You may have seen them traveling to the ends of the earth to deliver refreshment as cold as the Rockies in commercials, or more recently in a YouTube video surprising a group of Miami pool party-goers. Throughout the summer, these committed mountaineers will be popping up in cities and bars throughout the country to deliver the World’s Most Refreshing Can.

Source: MillerCoors/Coors Light

Food packaging specialist KM Packaging Services Ltd. has launched a stunning new premium packaging film with a unique “feel” and texture, targeted squarely at the luxury confectionery and high-end boxed goods markets across the world.

KM Velvet will help leading brands to achieve shelf differentiation in a whole new style, meeting demand for standout flexible packaging that is suitable for many different treatments. KM Velvet is available as a reverse printed heat-sealable film laminate for use on form-fill-seal or flow-wrap equipment; alternatively KM Velvet can be laminated to board to provide the ideal solution for suppliers of luxury boxed products such as premium confectionery – and even perfumes and cosmetics.

A coated polypropylene, KM Velvet pushes the boundaries of premium packaging, reflecting the current trend towards matt finishes and other subtly unusual features that emphasize the quality of the product inside and achieve shelf standout in a crowded sector.

Retail giant Tesco has linked up with Paragon Print & Packaging to develop a film, which it claims, extends the shelf life of an asparagus by an extra two days.

Scientifically developed at Paragon Flexibles’ Food Science facility, the technically engineered film optimises perforation technology to address loss of moisture within the packs, delaying the onset of toughening and fibrousness typically found after 4 days on shelf, Paragon said.

In a statement, Paragon said: “Keeping the asparagus fresher for longer, the packaging product significantly enhances flavour, texture and appearance to deliver an all-round optimal solution for asparagus packaging.

“As well as serving to enhance the product, the film also delivers a more hygienic solution in store compared to traditionally unpackaged bundles via its physical barrier to contamination.”

Tesco technical manager for produce (Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables) Laura Drew explained: “We are delighted with results so far achieved during store trials. This new pack solution enables us to maximise our quality and freshness offer to customers and gives us greater flexibility with merchandising location in store.”

The new pre-printed format will be launched in Tesco stores nationwide ready for UK asparagus season 2013.

Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) has published its vision statement on sustainability.

SKG has set out targets to strengthen its sustainable business practices under seven key building blocks including: Chain of Custody, CO₂ emissions, Waste, Water, Health & Safety, Sustainable Sourcing, and Community Involvement. Detailed objectives have been set for each focus area to be delivered between 2013 and 2020.

The statement details the Group’s commitment to sustainable business practices and belief that profitable growth can be achieved by providing its customers with innovative packaging products while continuing to minimise product waste; optimising resource use and re-use through recycling; and, stimulating afforestation through sustainable forestry practices.

Gary McGann, group chief executive, said: “For over 75 years, Smurfit Kappa has been producing innovative packaging solutions from renewable and recyclable materials. We believe that our long-standing commitment to sustainability has been central to building our position as a world leader in paper-based packaging.

“Our vision statement on sustainability, published today, is a further step on a journey where we constantly strive to improve how we serve the interests of our customers; employees; the local communities in which we operate; and, our shareholders.

“We believe that delivering on our key business objectives can only be achieved through business practices that are based on the principles of long term sustainable development.”

“Our focus is to continue to grow our business but we will pursue growth opportunities that are commercially and economically attractive, socially progressive and environmentally sustainable.”

Iggesund Paperboard has inaugurated its new biomass boiler at its mill Workington after a £108m investment.

The company’s paperboard mill has switched its energy source from fossil natural gas to biomass.

The new biomass boiler involves an annual reduction of fossil carbon emissions equivalent to the emissions from more than 58,000 cars, each driven 20,000 kilometres per year.

Iggesund said that 400 people work at its mill in Workington and that it is the UK’s only producer of folding box and board.

Incada, the paperboard made at the mill, is constructed of a central layer made of mechanical pulp produced on site, which gives a low weight combined with high stiffness. The outer layers are made of purchased chemical pulp to create high whiteness and good printability.

“For more than a decade now Iggesund Paperboard has invested to raise the standard of what was originally a very ordinary paperboard mill to one that is state of the art,” said Ola Schultz-Eklund, the mill’s managing director. “Including the 108 million pounds spent on the CHP plant, we have invested more than 200 million pounds in this transformation.”

According to Iggesund, step by step the investments and renovations have raised both the quality and quality consistency of Incada. As a result the mill has found new end uses for its products and gradually improved its profitability.

“In our investment in this new biomass CHP plant, profitability and reduced climate impact go hand in hand,” Schultz-Eklund explained.

He added: “We know that the cost of fossil-based energy will increase faster than that of biomass, so we regard this investment as a way to stabilise our energy costs.

“At the same time our emissions of fossil carbon dioxide from the production process have now fallen to almost zero, which should reasonably make us an even more interesting option for the large end users, who have more or less promised consumers that they will both declare and reduce the emissions created by the products they sell.”

Orangina-Schweppes France will package juice drink P’tit Oasis in a new 200ml aseptic package made by Ecolean, and claims the carton, with its air-filled handle and attached straw, will appeal to a target group of children and teenagers.

Orangina-Schweppes said its new P’tit Oasis in Ecolean’s 200 ml package was an alternative package for its youngest consumers, and claims it is not only flexible and easy to use, but also has a low environmental impact since it uses a reduced amount of resources.

“Our mission is to delight our local consumers with fun, refreshing and natural moments of pleasure,” said Catherine Hubert, research & development director at Orangina-Schweppes. “We believe that Ecolean has the right package to fit this purpose.”

“We are delighted that the French market leader in juice drinks launches the P’tit Oasis in our Ecolean Air Aseptic package. It is a breakthrough in Western Europe and we look forward to a long-term relationship,” said Peter Nilsson, CEO of Ecolean.

Aseptic Technology 2013: Exclusive, free online event

On May 30, BeverageDaily.com and FoodProductionDaily.com will host an exclusive, free, online event on aseptic processing and packaging technology, Aseptic Technology 2013.  Our program includes speakers from Sidel, GEA, Coca-Cola Hellenic, Zenith International and more. The event begins at 9am New York time. Click here to register and to learn more .

ttz Bremerhaven is developing novel intelligent labels to monitor temperature abuse of frozen food and oxygen content in modified atmosphere packaged products.

Controlling the post production life cycle of food is an important element of food supply chains. Improper handling of the product during transport, storage and in households results in quality defects, increases the risk of microbial growth, subsequent spoilage and waste of edible food. The IQ-Freshlabel project develops Time Temperature Integrators (TTIs) to monitor temperature abuse of frozen food and subsequent quality loss of products. The researchers also work on the development of an oxygen sensor to monitor atmosphere modifications in MAP food. The implementation of novel smart labels is promoted through the investigation of consumers, retailers and industry expectations.

According to ttz Bremerhaven, the quality and safety of food in the European supply chains could be improved by the use of intelligent labels leading to the reduction of food waste at all levels of the food chain.

IQ-FRESHLABEL is a research project, partly funded by the European Commission in the 7th Framework programme. The project runs over 42 months (1st Aug 2010 to 31st January 2014) involving 17 partners from 9 different countries. www.iq-freshlabel.eu

ttz Bremerhaven is an independent research institute which performs application-based research and development. Under the umbrella of ttz Bremerhaven, an international team of experts is working in the fields of food, environment and health.

…

Author and Scientific Contact:

Marie Shrestha
Team Leader Bio Process Engineering / Food Technology
ttz Bremerhaven
Fischkai 1
D-27572 Bremerhaven (Germany)
Tel.:    : +49 (0)471 48 32 -144
Fax:     +49 (0)471 48 32 – 129
mshrestha@ttz-bremerhaven.de
www.ttz-bremerhaven.de

Packaging polymers are growing in the developed and developing world, driven by the constant demand for more food to feed the world’s expanding population, according to PlasticsEurope.

In an exclusive interview, a spokesman for the trade body told FoodProductionDaily.com: “Globally, polymers used in packaging applications are growing in particular low, and linear low, density polyethylene, polypropylene and PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

“This is driven by the increasing world population and the growing demand for foodstuffs. There are shortages of food and the best way to limit food waste and maximise the amount of good food available is to use plastics packaging.”

Sophisticated plastics packaging

He said there was a great need for sophisticated plastics packaging in the developing world to protect foodstuffs to feed areas of high population density.

There would also continue to be strong demand in the developed world, because of the remaining significant opportunities to replace traditional packaging materials, he added.

However, the growth of virgin plastics had been subdued by the move towards reengineering packaging to make it lighter and the increased use of recyclable materials, he said.

Recycling rates growing

In addition, recycling rates for plastics packaging were growing, he said. “This is because of the growing interest in sustainability worldwide including China and India and the perception that recycling is an essential component of this.”

Legislation is pushing plastics recycling forward, according to the PlasticsEurope spokesman. “The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive has spawned a series of national laws which have placed recycling targets on national materials supply chains.

“These targets are progressively increased. In 2011 26.6% of plastics packaging was recycled in the UK.”

SIPA has developed a non-aseptically-filled squeezy plastic ketchup bottle, which it claims overcomes many traditional design challenges of hot fill applications and provides a cost-effective alternative to aseptic versions.

One of the biggest issues presented by hot fill methods, and particularly by plastic ketchup bottles with long necks, is that as their contents cool, their volume reduces, creating a partial vacuum.

Consequently the bottle walls collapse and the label becomes partly or completely unstuck, according to plastic containers specialist SIPA.

In the past, ketchup manufacturers tackled the problem with bottles incorporating panels that withstand the distorting effects caused by the changes in internal pressure, resulting in ugly packaging, SIPA said.

More attractive form

The company therefore carried out numerous tests with the aim of creating a more attractive form that could withstand cooling.

SIPA designers took an existing ketchup bottle design, shortened the neck and softened the angles around the bottle body to prevent it collapsing and provided an attractive appearance.

The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) design can be filled between 85 degrees Celsius and 90 degrees Celsius, stays in shape afterwards and prevents label crinkling.

Several converters interested

Several converters had already told SIPA they were interested in switching from high density polyethylene (HDPE) and glass to its new bottle, it claimed. In addition, it added, one converter has approved the design already and has achieved positive results from filling tests.

Final tests are now being completed, but SIPA would not disclose how close the bottle is to commercialisation.

According to the company, its design did require PET resins suitable for the heat setting process used for hot-fill containers. This also needed to contain an oxygen scavenger to stop the ketchup oxidising and discolouring over time.

Competitively priced

However, despite this the firm claimed the product was still competitively priced for sauce manufacturers, as hot fill applications avoided much of the expense and inconvenience associated with the aseptic method.

“The aseptic process requires … very strict CIP [Clean in Place] procedures because the growth of microorganisms near ambient temperature is very high, as is the risk of contamination,” a SIPA spokeswoman told FoodProductionDaily.com.

“So the line has to be manufactured in order to not have any dead spots where bacteria may grow and must be made of polished stainless steel, meaning that the surface must not be rough. All of these precautions increase very much the cost of the plant and its maintenance in comparison to an almost standard process such as hot fill.”

And she added that availability of the PET resins should not pose any problems either. “There are various PET resins available on the market that can be used for this purpose. There should be no unexpected challenges for the scaling up of production.”

SIPA tests indicate the new packaging format enabled contents to have a shelf life of at least 12 months.

• Aseptic Technology 2013: Exclusive, free online event On May 30, BeverageDaily.com and FoodProductionDaily.com will host an exclusive, free, online event on aseptic processing and packaging technology, Aseptic Technology 2013.  Our program includes speakers from Sidel, GEA, Coca-Cola Hellenic, Zenith International and more. The event begins at 9am New York time. Click here to register and to learn more  .

TricorBraun has bolstered its packaging design division with a new name, expanded headquarters and larger staff.

According to company representatives, the moniker TricorBraun Design and Innovation (formerly Design and Engineering) is intended to reflect the company’s emphasis on delivering innovative packaging solutions to food companies and other customers.

In a statement, TricorBraun CEO Keith Strope said innovation is a top priority at all of the firm’s divisions.

“Whether it is administration, operations, sales or design, we are constantly looking for newer, better, more efficient and creative ways to do things,” he said.

The Design and Innovation team provides creative advice to clients of other company divisions without charge. The division has moved to a larger, upgraded facility in Chicago, expanded its services, and added industrial designers, engineers and graphic designers to its staff.

“Adding innovation to our name emphasizes our broadened capacity to quickly address the new challenges facing the packaging industry including: sustainability, new materials and technological advancement. It also embraces our commitment to increase speed to market,” said Craig Sawicki , TricorBraun’s chief creative officer.

Restaurants in the EU have to serve olive oil in tamper-proof packaging from next year, as Brussels has announced that it will ban the use of refillable bottles and dipping bowls of olive oil at restaurant tables.

From 1 January 2014 packs must be labelled to EU standards.

The Commission, the EU’s executive branch, says the move will protect consumers and improve hygiene. Olive oil is a frequent target of food fraud, with cheaper oils being sold in its place to unwitting consumers. An EU spokesman told PN:  “Dodgy olive oil can be unpleasant and dangerous, this protects consumers, and it is supported by countries where production and consumption is highest.”

However, critics have accused the EU of unwarranted meddling at a time of economic crisis.

A Pew Research Center study released on 13 May showed positive views of the European Union are at or near their low point in most of the eight countries surveyed.

But London restaurateur Sam Clark told the Daily Telegraph: “This will affect us. It is about choice and freedom of choice. We buy our oil, which we have selected from a farm in Spain, to serve our customers.”

European Commission spokesman Oliver Bailly said the olive oil regulation would benefit consumers.

“We are just making clear that when you want to have olive oil of a certain quality in a restaurant, you get exactly the one you are paying for,” he told a news briefing in Brussels.